Nov. 28, 2007

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland's Katie O'Donnell has been selected one of four finalists for the prestigious Honda Award, presented to the nation's top Division I field hockey player. The Honda Award is part of the Collegiate Women Sports Award, given to collegiate female student-athletes annually. The winners of each individual sport become finalists for the Honda-Broderick Cup, which is awarded to the nation's outstanding collegiate woman athlete of the year.

Only a freshman, Katie O'Donnell (Blue Bell, Pa.) had an outstanding and an impact season, leading the Terrapins to an 18-3 record and a 13th-straight NCAA Tournament appearance. She led the nation with a 2.52 points per game average, while ranking fourth with a 0.86 goals per game and 0.81 assist per game average.

Tallying 18 goals and 17 assists on the season, O'Donnell's 53 points are the seventh-most in a season by a Terrapin. She also tied for seventh all-time at Maryland with the 17 assists she dished during the season. A first team All-American, O'Donnell also led the team and the ACC with six game-winning goals. She was named the conference's Offensive Player of the Year, the first rookie in the history of the league to win an ACC player of the year honor.

O'Donnell becomes the ninth player in school history to be selected a finalist for the Honda Award. Her selection is the 12th overall. A Terrapin has been named a finalist the last four years, with former Terp Paula Infante earning a selection in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Infante won the honor in 2005 and 2006.

Joining O'Donnell on the ballot are North Carolina's Rachel Dawson, Penn State's Jennifer Long and Boston University's Pam Spuehler.

The award is voted on by all NCAA Senior Woman Administrators across the country and the winner will be announced next week. In addition to the selection, American Honda will donate $1,000 to the Maryland athletic fund. The winner's school will receive $5,000.

-TERPS-